Welcome to June, and welcome to the new LXF Newsletter. As I write this, Fedora fans the world over are scrambling to get the new 7 release, keeping the mirrors at full load. All just to see the new hot air balloon wallpaper! Only kidding - it looks like a good release, and we'll have it on LXF 95's DVD if downloading it is hasslesome for you.

Next week I'm going to undertake a little experiment: using a computer with my left hand only. My poor old right hand (and right arm (and right shoulder)) is starting to feel the pressure from YouTube browsing and assembly coding, so I'm going to give it a week's rest and hopefully prevent major RSI injuries until I'm 40. What will it do to me? Will it enhance the left-hand side of my brain, thereby making me good at algebra and the like?

Answers on an email please -- I'll post any funny or actually useful responses in the next Newsletter. In the meantime, enjoy this edition, with roundups of the latest news and forum posts, plus a look at some teensy Linux devices.

If you're a subscriber you'll already have the new issue of LXF, but if not, you'll want to head shopwards pronto in case it sells out! You'll notice that LXF 94 is in a bag -- it was the only way we could contain the sheer Linuxness of this month's DVD. It's 8GB, double-sided and crammed with distros: Ubuntu 7.04 (a special enhanced version with extra packages), Mandriva 2007 Spring Free, Debian 4.0 (ISO image) and SimplyMepis 6.5. If you're in the mood to try a new distro or just need to update your existing one, our disc will keep you busy for aeons.

As will our cover feature -- a massive distro test fest, where we look at eight of the most popular Linux flavours and rate them on performance, hardware support, security, software selection and community. With stats, charts and analysis galore, this hugely thorough distro roundup will help you make the right decisions when choosing a Linux variant. How does your favourite distro fare? There's only one way to find out...

Also in LXF 94: features on running Windows apps on Linux, and open source apps on Windows/Mac OS X, plus a look at Google's online office tools and whether they'll usurp traditional desktop apps. In our reviews section we look at Mandriva 2007 Spring Free, Dofus and a HP laserjet printer, while over in the tutorials section we show you how to share files, scan your network data, program with JavaScript and Mono, and create OpenOffice.org macros.

Run to the newsagent right now and grab a copy! Unless you're reading this at, like, 4am or something.

---------------------------------------------------------- 3. In the news... ----------------------------------------------------------

Microsoft has revealed more information on the alleged patent violations in open source software. The company claims that the Linux kernel breaches 42 of its patents, with OpenOffice.org and email tools stepping on 45 and 15 patents respectively. Linus Torvalds has spoken out about the developments, explaining that if Microsoft's source code was subjected to the same level of scrutiny as Linux, patent violations may be found there. Another source reports that Microsoft will not sue Linux developers or users, and Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz has some words for Microsoft.

Some Wired columnists think so, accusing Firefox's developers of ditching the browser's original light-and-fast design philosophy. The article discusses extensions and how new features are being rolled into the core codebase, instead of being left as add-ons for those who want them. Is Firefox really getting slower and heavier, or are we just using more demanding (eg AJAX-laden) websites?

The Gnome team has pieced together a detailed roadmap of features and changes for the next few releases. Highlights include: wider lockdown support in Sabayon (OpenOffice.org, Evolution and Gaim); clutter removal in the Control Center; and the removal of Scrollkeeper to make way for a multi-desktop library.

---------------------------------------------------------- 4. This month on the forum ----------------------------------------------------------

Ever since Dell announced its new line of Linux PCs in the USA,there has been a great deal of discussion about prices. How much'Microsoft tax' do Windows users pay? One article put it at $50,which stirred up plenty of chat on the forum; 'coolclassic'wondered if it was an acceptable price to pay to ensure thateverything works out of the box. Some regulars pointed out thatWindows has problems maintaining compatibility between releases,and also noted the cost of maintaining a Windows box (eg firewalland anti-spyware tools). [1]

Are beards cool? A great, big bushy beard has historically beenan essential accessory for old-school Unix hackers. 'Pootman'asked if needs to grow one for a future maths-teaching job, andforumers chipped in to describe their current facial hairsituations. Best line of the thread was from Nordle, who can'tgrow a beard due to intense itching: "I'm starting to reallydoubt my Slacker credentials, I'm going to have to go recompilesomething with --without-arts just to feel better." [2]

Back in Newsletter #12, over a year ago, we looked at some weirdand wacky uses of Linux, such as making ice cream and controllingspacecraft components. This month we're checking out someultra-tiny Linux incarnations -- not in the distro sense, likeDamn Small Linux, but actual hardware doobries that run the OS.

First off is an impressively minuscule video camera that packs in a 300MHz CPU despite being only 3.25 x 1.7 x 1.8 inches. Designed for surveillance work, the camera runs Linux so that it can compress the video footage and perform tasks like motion detection on the fly (no need for a separate box).

Even more impressively, the device doesn't need an external power supply, instead drawing all its juice via an Ethernet cable. Even with all the components and circuit boards crammed so closely together, the unit needs no active cooling. Remember, The Man is watching you - and he's running Linux!

A cheesy name, but a fascinating device. Yes, these computers are just a tad larger than a pack of chewing gum, yet are decently powerful Linux machines running at 200 or 400MHz. Some of the devices are equipped with Ethernet ports and SD card slots for expandability, along with standard serial ports for controlling external devices. The machines include a basic Linux setup with various command-line tools and the Boa web server if you want a portable file serving unit.

Gumstix devices have found their way into various applications, the most bizarre being miniature Linux-powered helicopters. The goal is to build a cluster (or 'swarm') of Gumstix-powered choppers which calculate data and send it out as web pages. Eventually, the team behind the helicopters wants to make them autonomous, bringing us ever closer to a Skynet-style machines taking over scenario.

Measuring 2 x 2 x 2.2 inches and coated in an industrial warning shade of yellow, this femto PC crams in a 300MHz chip and 64MB RAM. Astoundingly, given the tiny surface area of the device, it still sports USB, Ethernet and serial ports.

Of course, the big question is: what can you actually do with these things? They're naturally geared towards embedded applications, but if you're looking for a hardware project, you could try building one into a case with an LCD display and making some sort of portable Linux console. Or perhaps attach it to a radio controlled car, hook up a cheap webcam and record on-the-ground footage! The possibilities are endless. Well, providing you're willing to stump up the cash, that is.

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